Chest Finishes

Here your options are really as limited only as your imagination. But as with all things aesthetic, it's a good idea to temper your potentially errant imagination with a little tradition. The chest is a piece of furniture that is versatile both inside and out; sure it can store stuff, but have you put stuff on top of it? It makes a great bench or a shelf, or you can slap a piece of glass on it to get a coffee table.

So before you go crazy, remember that this chest is going to be around for a long time and may be used in various capacities. In short, it may be good to go with something traditional rather than let your five-year-old paint it.

Basically Two Options
A solid-color chest is typically the preferred presentation of this timeless and aged keepsake keeper. Chests are often forest green or navy for boys and white for girls. We don't know why, but those colors just tested pretty well.

However, if you are feeling creative and adventurous, it is possible to achieve great results by sanding off the existing finish and adding a handsome stain of some sort to your wooden chest. All kinds of stains are available at a well-stocked hardware store that can mimic the look of exotic woods from across the globe. Think Zebrawood or Tasmanian Blackwood. Just remember, it is probably a good idea to test the stain you're considering on a spare piece of wood and to practice applying nice, even coats before trying it on your wood chest..